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—guide [2026/07/22 15:48] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(RTI guide 2026,file RTI India,PIO reply,FAA speaking order,public authority compliance,Right to Information guide,RTI hub,citizen RTI guide)
 +metatag-description=(The RTI Wiki guide hub for 2026: file an RTI as a citizen, reply as a Public Information Officer, decide a first appeal as the FAA, run a public authority's RTI cell.)}}
 +
 +====== RTI Guide 2026: File RTI, Reply as PIO, Hear First Appeal, Manage Public Authority Compliance ======
 +
 +
 +<WRAP center round info 95%>
 +**Quick Reply:** The RTI Wiki guide hub for 2026: file an RTI as a citizen, reply as a Public Information Officer, decide a first appeal as the FAA, run a public authority's...
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +<WRAP center round tip 100%>
 +**Direct answer.** Pick the guide that matches your role under the Right to Information Act, 2005. Citizens file under **Section 6** and appeal under **Section 19**. Public Information Officers reply under **Section 7**. First Appellate Authorities decide under **Section 19(1)**. Public authorities run the system under **Section 4**. Each guide on this hub is short, current to 14 November 2025 (DPDP commencement), and linked to the templates and case law you actually need.
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== Pick your role =====
 +
 +| {{:icons:citizen.svg?28&nolink|}} **Citizen / applicant** \\ Filing or chasing your own RTI. \\ Start: [[guide:applicant|Guide for applicants]] \\ Tools: [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]] \\ Format: [[guide:applicant:application:how-fill-rti-application-form|Form fill walkthrough]] | {{:icons:pio.svg?28&nolink|}} **Public Information Officer (PIO)** \\ Replying within 30 days, recording reasons. \\ Start: [[guide:guidelines-for-public-information-officer|PIO guide]] \\ Template: [[templates:pio-reply-standard|Standard reply]] \\ Section 11 third party: [[explanations:third-party|Notice rules]] |
 +| {{:icons:faa.svg?28&nolink|}} **First Appellate Authority (FAA)** \\ Hearing 19(1) appeals, writing speaking orders. \\ Start: [[guide:guidelines-for-first-appellate-authority|FAA guide]] \\ Template: [[templates:faa-speaking-order|Speaking order]] \\ Timeline: 30 days, max 45. | {{:icons:public-authority.svg?28&nolink|}} **Public authority** \\ Section 4 disclosure, RTI cell, annual return. \\ Start: [[guide:guidelines-for-public-authority|Public authority guide]] \\ Compliance: Section 4(1)(b) suo motu list \\ Annual return: to the Information Commission |
 +
 +===== Start here: the most-used pages =====
 +
 +  * **[[:file-rti-online-india|File an RTI online in 10 minutes]]**. Step-by-step on rtionline.gov.in with the Rs 10 fee flow.
 +  * **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]]**. Free tool. Describe the problem, get a Section 6(1) draft.
 +  * **[[guide:applicant:application|How to file an RTI under Section 6]]**. Drafting, fee, timelines, transfer rules.
 +  * **[[guide:applicant:first-appeal|First appeal under Section 19(1)]]**. When, where, format, what the FAA can do.
 +  * **[[guide:applicant:second-appeal:start|Second appeal to the Information Commission]]**. Section 19(3) procedure.
 +  * **[[guide:guidelines-for-public-information-officer|PIO duties and reply checklist]]**. Five-question test, file noting, severability.
 +  * **[[guide:guidelines-for-first-appellate-authority|FAA guide and speaking-order structure]]**.
 +  * **[[guide:guidelines-for-public-authority|Public authority compliance guide]]**.
 +
 +===== Most-used grid =====
 +
 +==== Filing and drafting ====
 +
 +  * [[guide:applicant:application|File an RTI: full Section 6 procedure]]
 +  * [[guide:applicant:application:how-fill-rti-application-form|Fill the form, line by line]]
 +  * [[guide:applicant:application:how-to-locate-public-information-officer|Find the right PIO]]
 +  * [[guide:applicant:application:information-free-of-cost|When the reply is free]]
 +  * [[guide:applicant:application:sample:start|Sample applications: 30+ subjects]]
 +
 +==== Appeals and remedies ====
 +
 +  * [[guide:applicant:first-appeal|First appeal: Section 19(1)]]
 +  * [[guide:applicant:second-appeal:start|Second appeal: Section 19(3)]]
 +  * [[guide:applicant:second-appeal:complaint|Complaint: Section 18]]
 +  * [[guide:applicant:application:penalty-compensation-under-rti|Penalty + compensation: Section 20 and 19(8)(b)]]
 +  * [[guide:applicant:time-limit-under-rti|All RTI time limits in one table]]
 +
 +==== For officers ====
 +
 +  * [[guide:guidelines-for-public-information-officer|PIO guide]]
 +  * [[guide:guidelines-for-first-appellate-authority|FAA guide]]
 +  * [[guide:guidelines-for-public-authority|Public authority guide]]
 +  * [[templates:pio-reply-standard|Template: PIO reply]]
 +  * [[templates:faa-speaking-order|Template: FAA speaking order]]
 +
 +===== Legal foundations =====
 +
 +  * **[[:act|Right to Information Act, 2005 - full text, as amended]]**. Sections 1-31.
 +  * **[[:act:summary|Section-by-section summary]]**. One-paragraph note per section.
 +  * **[[guide:applicant:fundamental-facts-about-rti|Fundamental RTI facts]]**. Fifteen facts every applicant should know.
 +  * **[[:explanations:grounds-for-rejection|Grounds for rejection: Section 8 in plain language]]**.
 +  * **[[:explanations:public-authority|What is a public authority?]]**.
 +  * **[[:explanations:public-interest|What is public interest?]]**.
 +  * **[[:explanations:third-party|Third party under Section 11]]**.
 +  * **[[:blog:dpdp-rules-2025-amendment-to-rti-act|DPDP 2025: the amendment to Section 8(1)(j)]]**.
 +
 +===== Templates and samples =====
 +
 +  * [[templates:start|Template library]]. First RTI, first appeal, second appeal, PIO reply, FAA speaking order.
 +  * [[templates:first-rti|First RTI application]].
 +  * [[templates:first-appeal|First appeal]].
 +  * [[templates:second-appeal|Second appeal]].
 +  * [[templates:pio-reply-standard|PIO standard reply]].
 +  * [[templates:pio-reply-partial-denial|PIO partial disclosure with severability]].
 +  * [[templates:pio-third-party-notice|PIO third-party notice under Section 11]].
 +  * [[templates:faa-speaking-order|FAA speaking order]].
 +  * [[guide:applicant:application:sample:start|30+ sample RTIs by subject]].
 +
 +===== When to use this guide =====
 +
 +  * You are a citizen who wants information from a government department, university, panchayat, public-sector bank, or any body falling under [[:explanations:public-authority|Section 2(h)]].
 +  * You are a Public Information Officer who has just received an application and needs to reply within 30 days under Section 7.
 +  * You are a senior officer designated as the First Appellate Authority and you have a Section 19(1) appeal pending.
 +  * You head an RTI cell at a public authority and need to map out Section 4 compliance, the annual return to the Commission, and your record-management workflow.
 +
 +If you are none of the above and want to read about the law itself, start with the [[:act|full Act]] or the [[:faq|25-question FAQ]].
 +
 +===== Frequently asked questions =====
 +
 +==== What is the RTI Act in one sentence? ====
 +
 +The Right to Information Act, 2005 gives every Indian citizen a statutory right to ask for information held by a public authority and obliges the authority to reply within 30 days, on penalty of Rs 250 a day on the responsible officer.
 +
 +==== Who can file an RTI? ====
 +
 +Any citizen of India. No PAN, Aadhaar, or proof of citizenship is required at the time of filing, although a citizenship declaration is part of the standard format. Companies and foreigners cannot file in their own name; they must use a citizen-shareholder or citizen-employee.
 +
 +==== How much does it cost to file an RTI? ====
 +
 +Rs 10 application fee at the Centre. State fees range from Rs 10 to Rs 50. Photocopies are typically Rs 2 per page. Applicants who hold a BPL card pay nothing. See [[guide:applicant:application:information-free-of-cost|when information must be supplied free of cost]].
 +
 +==== How long does the PIO have to reply? ====
 +
 +30 days from the date of receipt by the PIO. 48 hours where the information concerns the life or liberty of a person. 40 days where the information involves a third party who must be heard under Section 11. 5 days extra if the application was first received by an Assistant PIO or transferred under Section 6(3).
 +
 +==== What happens if the PIO does not reply? ====
 +
 +A "deemed refusal" under Section 7(2). The applicant can file a first appeal under Section 19(1) on day 31 without waiting any longer. The Information Commission can later impose a penalty of Rs 250 per day under Section 20 if the delay is found to be without reasonable cause.
 +
 +==== Can a PIO refuse on the ground of "personal information"? ====
 +
 +Only by applying the revised Section 8(1)(j) test as it stands after the DPDP commencement on 14 November 2025. Personal information is now a hard exemption, with the public-interest override moved to Section 8(2). The PIO must still record reasons in writing and apply Section 10 severability before refusing in full.
 +
 +==== Who is the First Appellate Authority? ====
 +
 +An officer of the same public authority who is senior in rank to the PIO. The FAA is named in the Section 4(1)(b) disclosure of the public authority. The FAA must decide the appeal within 30 days, extendable to 45 days for recorded reasons.
 +
 +==== When do I move to the Information Commission? ====
 +
 +After the FAA's order, or after the FAA's deadline expires, whichever is earlier. The second appeal under Section 19(3) must be filed within 90 days. Use the format prescribed by the Central or State Information Commission's rules.
 +
 +==== Where can I draft an RTI in five minutes? ====
 +
 +Use our [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]]. It produces a Section 6(1) draft with your name and address pre-filled, plus a draft first appeal and second appeal if needed. Free, no login.
 +
 +==== What is the difference between a complaint and a second appeal? ====
 +
 +A complaint under Section 18 challenges the conduct of the PIO (refused to accept the application, gave misleading information, demanded a reason). A second appeal under Section 19(3) challenges the decision (denial of information, partial disclosure, fee dispute). The Commission can impose a penalty in either route.
 +
 +===== Sources verified =====
 +
 +  - [[https://www.indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/1362|The Right to Information Act, 2005 (No. 22 of 2005)]] - India Code official text, as amended.
 +  - [[https://rtionline.gov.in|rtionline.gov.in]] - Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India, Central RTI portal.
 +  - [[https://cic.gov.in|cic.gov.in]] - Central Information Commission.
 +  - [[https://dopt.gov.in/sites/default/files/RTI-Master-Circular.pdf|DoPT Master Circular on RTI Act]].
 +  - [[https://www.indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/2103|Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023]] - Section 44(3) amends RTI Section 8(1)(j).
 +
 +//Last reviewed: 9 May 2026.//
 +
 +{{tag>rti guide guides-hub applicant pio faa public-authority dpdp-2025 2026}}